JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had made clear to U.S. President Donald Trump in a long phone call on Friday evening that Europe needs to be a part of any process to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

World leaders on Saturday expressed concern over a US peace plan for Ukraine seen as favoring Russia, saying it needs “additional work” as they scramble a coordinated response to the proposal.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will host a call with European counterparts on Friday evening to discuss Ukraine, a French diplomatic source said. The source said the call in the so-called Washington format would be held with foreign ministers from Germany,

A 28-point "draft plan", backed by the United States, to end the Russia-Ukraine war reportedly calls for the "recognition of Crimea and other regions that the Russians have taken." Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news.